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The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Germany is more attractive than ever, with an 11-percent growth in the number of overnight stays for the first quarter. The German National Tourist Board has asked foreign visitors about their favorite travel sites.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 10: Romantic Road

It is Germany's oldest and most popular tourist route. It was founded in 1950 in order to help boost tourism in post-war Germany. Today more than 25 million visitors visit the many picturesque towns and castles along the 410 kilometer route, running between Würzburg und Füssen.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 8: Zugspitze Mountain with Partnach Gorge

8th place was a tie in the online voting - one going to the Zugspitze. The Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain at 2962 meters. A stunning starting point for hikes to the summit is the 700 meter long and 800 meter deep Partnach Gorge, a wild and romantic gorge near the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 8: Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall also came in 8th place. From 1961 to 1989 the Wall divided the city in two. It was torn down, but its traces can still be found. The Berlin Wall Trail forms a cycling and pedestrian trail along the former border. The colorful East Side Gallery in the city's Friedrichshain district is a remnant of the wall that was painted by artists from around the world in 1990.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 7: Lake Constance region

Water, wind and wine, delightful islands and enchanting towns: Lake Constance brings Mediterranean flair to southern Germany. Its best-known day trip destination is Mainau, nicknamed the flower island. But the monastic island of Reichenau and the prehistoric dwellings on stilts in Unteruhldingen - both UNESCO World Heritage sites - are well worth a visit.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 6: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small town with a big reputation. It's arguably the best-preserved medieval town in Germany. If you stroll through the old town, with its towers, fountains, gates, fortifications and wine taverns, you'll feel as if you're on a journey into the past.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 5: Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

No structure in Berlin is as well-known internationally as the Brandenburg Gate. Starting in 1961, it was in the middle of the no-man's land between the two walls that made up the Berlin Wall. For 28 years it was inaccessible. As a symbol of division and reunification, it represents the city's turbulent history.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 4: Heidelberg Castle and Old Town

It must be the special mixture of visibility and transience that lends Heidelberg Castle its fascinating aura. It seems other-worldly and is considered to epitomize German romanticism. Heidelberg's old town, with its picturesque narrow lanes and squares, as well as Germany's oldest university, lies just below the castle.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 3: Cologne Cathedral

In 1248, in the city on the Rhine, building that lasted for centuries began on a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. When it was finally finished in 1880, it was considered the world's largest building. Nowadays six million people a year visit Cologne Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 2: Neuschwanstein Castle

The fairytale castle had to settle for second place. The Bavarian king Ludwig II wanted a knightly castle in medieval style. To have it built, he spent what was an enormous amount of money for the time: six million marks, wrung from his subjects. Ludwig didn't live to see it opened in 1886, but his fairy-tale castle is now one of Germany's most popular tourist attractions.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 1: Europa-Park in Rust

In the online voting conducted by the GNTB in summer 2015 the theme park received the most votes. With 11 roller-coasters, a flight simulator, 4-D cinema and more than 100 additional attractions and shows, Europa-Park in the southern German town of Rust is Germany's largest theme park. More than 5 million people visited the park last year.

Author: Olaf Tost

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 10: Romantic Road

It is Germany's oldest and most popular tourist route. It was founded in 1950 in order to help boost tourism in post-war Germany. Today more than 25 million visitors visit the many picturesque towns and castles along the 410 kilometer route, running between Würzburg und Füssen.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 8: Zugspitze Mountain with Partnach Gorge

8th place was a tie in the online voting - one going to the Zugspitze. The Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain at 2962 meters. A stunning starting point for hikes to the summit is the 700 meter long and 800 meter deep Partnach Gorge, a wild and romantic gorge near the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 8: Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall also came in 8th place. From 1961 to 1989 the Wall divided the city in two. It was torn down, but its traces can still be found. The Berlin Wall Trail forms a cycling and pedestrian trail along the former border. The colorful East Side Gallery in the city's Friedrichshain district is a remnant of the wall that was painted by artists from around the world in 1990.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 7: Lake Constance region

Water, wind and wine, delightful islands and enchanting towns: Lake Constance brings Mediterranean flair to southern Germany. Its best-known day trip destination is Mainau, nicknamed the flower island. But the monastic island of Reichenau and the prehistoric dwellings on stilts in Unteruhldingen - both UNESCO World Heritage sites - are well worth a visit.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 6: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small town with a big reputation. It's arguably the best-preserved medieval town in Germany. If you stroll through the old town, with its towers, fountains, gates, fortifications and wine taverns, you'll feel as if you're on a journey into the past.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 5: Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

No structure in Berlin is as well-known internationally as the Brandenburg Gate. Starting in 1961, it was in the middle of the no-man's land between the two walls that made up the Berlin Wall. For 28 years it was inaccessible. As a symbol of division and reunification, it represents the city's turbulent history.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 4: Heidelberg Castle and Old Town

It must be the special mixture of visibility and transience that lends Heidelberg Castle its fascinating aura. It seems other-worldly and is considered to epitomize German romanticism. Heidelberg's old town, with its picturesque narrow lanes and squares, as well as Germany's oldest university, lies just below the castle.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 3: Cologne Cathedral

In 1248, in the city on the Rhine, building that lasted for centuries began on a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. When it was finally finished in 1880, it was considered the world's largest building. Nowadays six million people a year visit Cologne Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 2: Neuschwanstein Castle

The fairytale castle had to settle for second place. The Bavarian king Ludwig II wanted a knightly castle in medieval style. To have it built, he spent what was an enormous amount of money for the time: six million marks, wrung from his subjects. Ludwig didn't live to see it opened in 1886, but his fairy-tale castle is now one of Germany's most popular tourist attractions.

Top 10: The most popular tourist attractions in Germany

Number 1: Europa-Park in Rust

In the online voting conducted by the GNTB in summer 2015 the theme park received the most votes. With 11 roller-coasters, a flight simulator, 4-D cinema and more than 100 additional attractions and shows, Europa-Park in the southern German town of Rust is Germany's largest theme park. More than 5 million people visited the park last year.